Variety: Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir

The G.D. Vajra winery was created in 1972 by Aldo and Milena Vaira, initially from vineyards planted by Aldo’s father in 1947. The winery was named for Aldo’s father, Giuseppe Domenico Vajra, because at the time Aldo was not old enough to establish the winery in his own name. Today the family has 40 hectares under vine in Barolo and other surrounding appellations. Their prized holdings in Bricco delle Viole were planted in 1949 by Aldo’s grandfather. Milena and Aldo’s three children – Giuseppe, Francesca, and Isidoro – are all involved in the family winery operation situated in the village of Vergne. The family is hard-working, passionate, and caring. Their focus is on building something for their children, caring about the community, and cementing the stories of the regions’ past. The family is longtime friends of Hart & Cru. They continue to uphold their passion for quality wine and the people who surround them.

The story behind the wine began with Thomas Jefferson when he was French ambassador and often traveled to Piedmont. During his visits, he drank Nebbiolo and proclaimed that it was as brisk as Champagne. The Vajra family later challenged this statement by making a wine with both Nebbiolo and the Champagne grape, Pinot Noir, as its blend. This bottle gets its name from the chapel that sits on the slopes of the vineyards: “Nostra Signora Della Neve” which means "Our Lady of the Snow" referring to the barren soil which still produces beautiful fruit from this site.